State Secretary Pratikno Became Jokowi's Political Operator

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Close friends remind each other to do good things, not conspire in wrongdoing. Perhaps this saying is fitting to be reminded to Pratikno, the State Secretary Minister. He is a former Rector of Gadjah Mada University, a political expert, a professor of political science. Surely, he knows that the desire to perpetuate power should not exist in democracy.

Therefore, as a close friend, Pratikno should have reminded President Joko Widodo when he was eager to make his son the successor in power. Pratikno should have reminded that Jokowi would end his presidency badly if he manipulated the law to make his son a vice-presidential candidate.

In reality, instead of reminding, Pratikno became an operator facilitating Jokowi’s power ambitions. From a friend, Pratikno turned into a servant. From a rector, he became just an operator. From a political expert who understands norms and ethics, he became someone using politics to maneuver in maintaining power.

They say power is addictive. Apparently, we can see that addiction has infiltrated Jokowi and Pratikno. They are intoxicated with the power they have enjoyed for almost 10 years. Becoming a king, a leader, must be for the chosen ones. Chosen in terms of knowledge, mentality, spirituality. Those who are not ready will be like the Javanese saying, “kere munggah bale” (a poor person who suddenly becomes rich).

Jokowi and Pratikno must understand all of this. As a political professor, Pratikno knows very well what Politics with a capital ‘P’ is. According to Otto von Bismarck, politics is not an exact science but an art. Of course, art is there to fight for public interests. When it comes to the public, the masses, it is bound by values: democracy, social justice, legal norms. Politics is not just about accommodating short-term interests but long-term interests and the masses.